Can you believe Dec. marks our 6 month band anniversaries? I've seen some other threads in other months where they take monthly weight loss polls so thought that would be fun and added it to this thread. Also, they've posted what they've learned about band life and themselves. So please post in the poll what you've lost and post what you have learned. I remember 6 mos ago today I was so nervous and now I am so thrilled.

Happy .5 bandiversary to you, too, Long!!!!! I think I cheated on the poll though (not on purpose...was an afterthought). I voted 100+ weight loss....54 was prior to surgery....62# since June 17.

I have gotten so much out of this journey.

#1. What it feels like to have energy again and feel young and healthy.

#2. Appreciation of all the friends I have made on this board.

#3. A deep appreciation of the fact that I am taking care of myself. It took me a lot of years to find the right tool to help me along but I am now at the place I want to be.

#4. Watch out world!!!!!!! There's not holding back!!!!!

• I learned I was not a hopeless cause and I can lose the weight with the help of my new 'friend'
  
• I learned what PB means
  
• I've learned I can survive w/o diet Pepsi
  
• and that I can live on 4 oz at a meal
  
• I have so much more energy
  
• I am much happier overall
  
• I am so grateful for the help and support I have found on this board
  
• I'm sure I will think of many more as the month goes on.
  

That's okay Apples, I included my whole loss as well, I lost 10 lbs between my seminar and my surgery. Heck I lost it, it counts! :cursing:

I have learned to take food in moderation!

I have learned that most of my hunger is in my head!

I have learned that there are wonderful people in Band-land!

I have learned to be proud of who I am and what I do to better myself! (IE: the return of the photo):cursing:

Wow, we really have accomplished some great things since June!

I've learned that food is not important

I've learned to my amazement how little food you need to survive

I've learned there are some really awsome people on this board

I've learned to eat slow or pay by pb'ing

I've learned that my insulin needs are 75% less then before surgery

I've learned that my family is suppotive of my journey

and I've learned that God never fails us and has been my constant through it all.

hi all, 6 months already? wow!! i feel discouraged right now but this thread has me excited because i too have experienced much of what you have posted and i'm so grateful that i had the chance to have this surgery! i was looking into it for THREE years and that was a long time of anticipation and fear (will i get it, will it work, etc.).

i donated 12 more bags of clothes this past weekend that i a) hated to wear to begin with and :smile2: no longer are even close to fitting!

most of all i just feel 'normal'. still have a ways to go but i don't feel invisible or like i want to constantly hide anymore. and i don't mind if my butt shows in my pants (i've been covering it up with long tops for YEARS!).

i feel so strong and i'm back to jogging on the treadmill which i used to like about 20 years ago! and now i like it again!

let's all say a big thanks in our hearts and minds to our surgeons and to the support group we have here and other places (like the obesity treatment center that i work with here in NH)!

next, i want to get 40 more lbs off by june. i'd like to do the nikeplus challenge that huggy told us about - need nikeplus shoes for that. i'm getting an ipod for my birthday (yeah!) to help me move faster while exercising and that works with nikeplus. i might by myself the shoes just because - to get myself moving even more.

happy anniversary everyone!

Dec 9th will be my 6 month "Bandiversary" I can't beleive it has gone by so quickly. I thought after surgery it would take forever and here it is.

Some of the things I have learned:

I ate out of boredom and the heavier I got the more I ate.

I can survive without all the junk food and McDonalds.

I learned I wasted too much time just existing and now have a new outlook on life. ie: Parasailing (never would've done that 6 months ago)

I learned that I deserved and it was ok to spend some extra time on myself, the family will survive!

I learned what it feels like to feel good about myself.

I'm still learning to accept compliments. (the are coming much more often and i'm still uncomfortable with them, maybe at 1 year i'll be better)

I'm still learning to not hate the camera!

This surgery has really changed my life!

my 6 month bandiversary will be december 30th, but congrats to everyone else.

Cathychatts,

I just want to say you look so great. The banded life definitely agrees with you.

I have lost 32 pounds since my surgery on June 30th.

One of the most important things I have learned is that food doesn't solve all my problems.

I have learned that exercise isn't a bad thing and that I actually love to go to the gym.

I have learned that I really don't like sweets as much as I thought I did. If I try to eat them now, they make me nauseated.

I have also learned that life does go on without my diet sodas.

I can't wait to see where we all are when we hit that year mark.

good luck and best wishes,

Stephanie

Hi Junies,

Wow! 6 months already!

I have learned that I am a slow loser and thats ok. I am just now starting to see how loose my skin is...ewwww so I know I better find time for more exercise or things wont be pretty!:biggrin:

I have learned that on rare occasions when I find myself in the fast food lane, a kids meal is even too much!

I have learned that an occasional dinner out when I try to eat a regular serving, its waaay too much, but just eating more that one time usually shocks my system into dropping a pound or two. But I cant do that often of my body will be shocked and gain instead!

I have learned that there are some really great folks on this forum and I am blessed to call them friends. You have been the encouragement I need to keep going some days.

Love y'all Junies!

Congrats all you guys on the big and small losses! The small add up to big! My 6-month anniversary is coming up Dec 20. I can't believe it has been 6 months! I am really starting to enjoy life again! I find myself being more active and actually looking forward to trying on new clothes again! I have learned I ate more than I thought I did because now I throw a lot more out and have some FAT DOGS! lol! Keep up the good work!

December 20 will be my 6 months..

I have learned the following:

I am so much more comfortable with myself

I love the "new" sex (blushing)

I didn't die from not drinking a six pack of diet pepsi a day

I can eat slowly

I can live on less than a cup of food twice a day

I can still have sweets and lose

I can look sexy and normal

I am a valuable person and deserve this happiness

It was worth spending $18,500 for the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I do now believe in plastic surgery (40 more pounds and then tummy tuck and some new perkier girls)

I now love to go clothes shopping

I do like being whistled at (blushing again)

This has been an amazing 6 months. A new beginning for me with a very bright future. I can hardly wait to see what the next 6 months I will learn.

Great job Junies!!!!

Hey Livin4Jesus! Good going! I was banded on June 20 and have lost total of 48... I am 51 years old, and losing weight used to be easy for me.. i would put on 20-30 pounds in a year and take it off in relatively no time at all.. Metabolizm and time changed all that and I had to resort to the band (after being obese for the last 12-13 years).. and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I have learned: 1) that food does not control me 2) God answers even what we consider frivalous prayers ("God help me not eat that piece of cake" lol!) 3) a healthy lifestyle begins with 2 adjustments... "attitude adjustment" and THEN life change adjustments! 4) no one is alone in their journey 5) I can do anything the Good Lord gives me the strength and the means to achieve!

Hope to see Less of you all soon!

My bandiversary was December 17th, the day before my birthday! I'm now 70 pounds lighter, several dress sizes smaller, and most importantly.....way healthier!

I've learned:

• the difference between being done and being full.
  
• life without soft drinks is possible.
  
• healthier equals happier; and happier means healthier!
  
• I can still ride a bike.
  
• eating is a necessity; not a reward or thing to do when bored.
  
• tucking in looks good.
  
• G2 tastes yummy.
  
• 30 minutes is not too long to be on the recumbent bike.